Augmented reality and mobile apps have met before, but some developers contend that the next encounters will produce an even more sophisticated class of technology.

The field of augmented reality places a digital overlay on the real-world view through a mobile device’s camera. Over the past couple of years, developers have taken advantage of a mobile platform’s camera and GPS to provide apps that help users find particular stores, restaurants or other points of interest. Games such as ARDefender also employ augmented reality.

But app creators have begun to engage more of a mobile device’s sensors -- accelerometers and gyroscopes, for example. Augmented reality apps that use detailed animations are also in the works. The objective: inject augmented reality technology in a wider range of apps to boost the user experience.

Starting off the weekend right! AWN got to spend some hands-on time with Capcoms newest "wonder child", fighting franchiseiteration, Super Street Fighter IV. We got to spend time with each of the 10 new characters of the Street Fighter IV roster including Hakan and Juri. We also got to spend time with the Barrel and Car bonus stages. Hit the jump to see is all!

Magikano

Haruo Yoshikawa is not an exciting guy. In fact, the only thing he excels at is being average! School, family, social life, it’s all one big daily rut. Nevertheless – in true anime style – all that comes to a screeching halt when Ayumi comes riding into town on her broom. Yes, I said broom! This Lolita is a witch. 

New streaming and downloads available on the FUNimation website!

For those already tapped into the streaming vein of PlayStation Network, anime is definitely on its Christmas list. Here’s the latest post from my friends at PSN. And, evidently, this is only a small part of the 12-day promotion.  

Death Note: R2

It’s no surprise that recent anime pop culture has been Death Note’s bitch. Dan Brown wishes he could write a detective yarn as intelligently intricate and pleasurably discombobulating. The story of the impromptu murderer Light Yagami, a.k.a Kira, his supporting Shinigami Ryuk, the Death Note empowering him to kill by simply writing a name, and his ultimate battle of wits with the genius detective L has consumed the world like Kate and Leo’s Titanic. And even if we didn’t have the edible Misa to accompany this ensemble, Light’s devotee and a Lolita that would have made Nabokov sweat, this story is rather perfect. Who doesn’t love the hunt for a killer, one teeming with anxiety and nearly insolvable riddles? 

Gundam UC

If you’re in San Francisco, or can at least get there anytime from March 19^th to the 25^th, then you’re in luck. Viz Cinema will debut Mobile Suit Gundam UC, and this is roughly one month after its debut in Japan!

Godzilla

Look, it’s no secret that Viz Cinema in San Francisco is a beacon of contemporary Japanese culture.